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The Supreme Court will hear a dispute about whether the Port of Los Angeles is pre-empted by federal law from making environmental rules for trucking companies. Diesel pollution contributes to asthma and health problems for people near the harbor complex. David McNew/Getty Images

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A long-running dispute between the trucking industry, environmentalists and the Port of Los Angeles has captured the attention of the U.S. Supreme Court.

More than 4 years ago, the Port of Los Angeles took a series of steps to reduce diesel pollution which emanates from the harbor and contributes to asthma and heart problems for people in the area.

The Clean Trucks Program created parking rules, financial responsibility disclosures, and environmental controls that trucking companies had to agree to follow to be able to work the port.

The American Trucking Association challenged the agreements from the beginning, arguing that federal law precludes the locally-run port from affecting interstate commerce. The case has been hard-fought in lower courts ever since. On Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court said it will take up the case later this year.

The Natural Resources Defense Council has joined Los Angeles to defend the program. The city and the NRDC argue that because the harbor in San Pedro competes for business against other ports, it’s allowed to control access to its property.

Previously in Pacific Swell

KPCC's Molly Peterson on a Gilligan's Island style tour of environmental stories in and affecting Southern California. Named for the Yvor Winters poem: "The slow Pacific swell stirs on the sand/Sleeping to sink away, withdrawing land..."
Follow the blog at @PacificSwell and Molly at @KPCCmolly.